Few would argue that Juan Manuel Marquez will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer five years after his last fight. Marquez?s achievements in his 18-year career warrant such honors.
But not ready to rest on his laurels of three world titles in separate weight classes, Marquez intends to enhance his legacy.
On Saturday night, Marquez will attempt to win a fourth weight division belt when he faces Ukraine?s Serhiy Fedchenko for an interim junior-welterweight title bout in Marquez?s native Mexico p.m., pay-per-view).
The fight will be Marquez?s first since a loss in his third bout against Manny Pacquiao in November.
Not expected to repeat the performance of his first two bouts against Pacquiao in 2004 and 2008, Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KOs) again posed problems for Pacquiao. Pacquiao won a tight majority decision.
Although he won?t underestimate the light-punching Fedchenko (30-1, 13 KOs), Marquez said there is only one objective for resuming his career.
?The main reason for me to continue is that I want a rematch with Manny,? Marquez said in a conference call last week. ?I think I won the last fight and I am looking for the rematch.?
Even if he cannot secure the fourth match with Pacquiao, Marquez could find other appealing options.
Former world lightweight champion Brandon Rios also will be featured on Saturday night?s card with his bout against Miami resident Richard Abril.
?Juan Manuel has his hands full with this Fedchenko; Brandon Rios has a tough fight with [Abril],? said Bob Arum, president of Top Rank, which will promote Saturday?s fights. ?Let?s see if we can put a fight between the two of them together.?
Marquez, whose championship pedigree features world titles in the featherweight, junior-lightweight and lightweight divisions, anticipates an emotional homecoming. The fight will be Marquez?s first in Mexico City since 1994.
?I feel very happy because I get to give back to my country and people want to see this fight,? Marquez said. ?I started my career here in Mexico City with my first eight fights. Then I fought in Los Angeles and in many other places. Now, I am back in Mexico and I have a great opponent.?
? More than 20 years since his reign as middleweight champion, James Toney continues to land fights, now as a heavyweight.
Saturday, Toney fought in his 86th professional bout and scored a technical knockout over Bobby Gunn in Southaven, Miss.
Toney, 43, far from resembled the fighter who once was considered among the sport?s pound-for-pound best when he fought as a middleweight and super-middleweight.
But Toney landed the more telling blows and Gunn failed to answer the bell for the fifth round, citing a hand injury.
The victory improves Toney?s record to 74-7-3, with 43 knockouts and two no-contests.
